Sunday Song

This song has been on my mind for a couple weeks.




Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
O while Thou dost smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me,
Show Thy face and all is bright.

Man may trouble and distress me,
’Twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me;
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,
Come disaster, scorn and pain
In Thy service, pain is pleasure,
With Thy favor, loss is gain
I have called Thee Abba Father,
I have stayed my heart on Thee
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.

Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.
Heaven’s eternal days before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide us there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

Feel the Night

This song is exquisite.

Love

The theme lately seems to be love.
What is it? What does it look like? What does one expect?


What am i learning? Well, I am not ready to share all that here right now.
But i have been thinking. a lot.

There was an excellent sermon Sunday about 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

It was so good.
Then, we attended our Sunday School class, which is on marriage. The sermon was a perfect pairing with the session we watched in Paul Tripp's What Did You Expect video series.

All that has led to a lot of introspection. A lot of kneeling at the cross. A lot of processing in the best way.

And today i thought of this song...

Make it Right

There are some days that I lose sight.
okay,
There are more days than not that i forget
That God's timing and plan
is very different than mine.

I forget that
here
in this fallen, broken world
things will not make sense.
things will hurt.
a lot.
and sometimes the pain
doesn't stop.
maybe,
just maybe,
it gets worse.

And so i cling to Christ
and He holds me fast.
He keeps me.
even when my grip
slips.


This song reminded me, once again, that in God's time, He will "take all that is wrong and make it right." It may not be until i reach heaven, but He WILL make all that is wrong right.
ALL of it.

Yes

Just, yes, is all i can say to this song.

Changes

pic credit

Ch, Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes....

I have to admit, i don't like change very much. It gets harder the older i get.

I DO like change when it comes to:
*the seasons
*moving furniture around
*going from dirty to clean (house, yard, room, dogs, kids, people!)
*a seed growing into a fruit, vegetable, flower

But in general, i kick at change.

Why?
Because it catapults me into the unknown.
It takes me out of my comfort zone.
It forces me to bend a little here, bend a little there.
Really,
it causes me to see my own weakness and lack of control over anything. 

And right now, i have a number of changes occurring.

and i am learning to lean in.
Lean in to CHRIST, my hiding place.
The One who NEVER changes. (Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.)
The One who isn't ashamed of me, of my flailings and my stumblings.
The One who picks me up, brushes off the dirt, and sets me back on the path.

So, i guess in a way,
i am thankful for change.
Why?
Because it causes me to draw ever nearer to my Beloved Lord.

A Song and a Prayer

This song by Fernando Ortega has long been a favorite of mine. I first heard it back in the mid-90's and remember being struck by the simple beauty of it. It quickly became the cry of my heart.

1 Peter 1:13-16 says:

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 

This song is a prayer to be more like Jesus, to be more holy. By His grace, He will do that work in our hearts and lives by the power of His Spirit. What a beautiful song to sing and offer as a prayer to our Great Savior and our Glorious God. May we ever be growing more and more like our beautiful Jesus. May He grow more precious to us day by day.

Trusting in Jesus

One night i had been reflecting on The End, what it means to stand before Holy God... on and on. I think you get it. I can get a bit unnerved at times when thinking about it.

The next morning after my alarm went off, this song came on that had encouraged me so many other times before. How sweet and tender of my heavenly Father to orchestrate it to play that morning. I was, once again, put at complete peace, being able to completely trust in Jesus when that Day comes.

The Invisible War !!

This sermon was a turning point for me the last week. It is so incredibly potent. I am still praying through its message, and am planning on listening AGAIN so i can write some stuff down! The sermon is 73 minutes, but it feels like 10!

Be Not Weary

Be Not Weary.

Yes! He knows the way is dreary,

Knows the weakness of our frame. 

Knows that hand and heart are weary

He, 'in all points,' felt the same.

He is near to help and bless;

Be not weary, onward press.

Look to Him who once was willing

All His glory to resign,

That, for thee the law fulfilling,

All His merit might be thine.

Strive to follow day by day

Where His footsteps mark the way.

Look to Him, the Lord of Glory,

Tasting death to win thy life;

Gazing on 'that wondrous story,'

Canst thou falter in the strife?

Is it not new life to know

That the Lord hath loved thee so!

Look to Him who ever liveth, 

Interceding for His own:

Seek, yea, claim the grace He giveth

Freely from His priestly throne.

Will He not thy strength renew

With His Spirit's quickening dew?

Look to Him, and faith shall brighten,

Hope shall soar, and love shall burn;

Peace once more thy heart shall lighten;

Rise ! He calleth thee, return !

Be not weary on they way, 

Jesus is thy strength and stay. 

~Frances Ridley Havergal

What Comes After....

Light after Darkness

By Frances Ridley Havergal

Light after darkness, gain after loss,
Strength after weakness, crown after cross;
Sweet after bitter, hope after fears,
Home after wandering, praise after tears.

Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain,
Sight after mystery, peace after pain;
Joy after sorrow, calm after blast,
Rest after weariness, sweet rest at last.

Near after distant, gleam after gloom,
Love after loneliness, life after tomb;
After long agony, rapture of bliss,
Right was the pathway, leading to this.

This Good Day

Today, I got in the van to go to the library with the kids, and turned on the disc that was in. It was Fernando Ortega (a favorite around here). I went to his song "This Good Day" and it was just perfect. Rain clouds come. Cold winds blow. But i know Who is in charge of it all... my heavenly Father.

okay... here is a cool side note: This video here is from his dvd "Live in St. Paul". Guess who is in the audience? Yep... Brian and I :). We own the dvd, and have spotted ourselves in it. I was about a week out from my due date with our 3rd child at the concert! 

Fernando Ortega - This Good Day Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Morning sun, morning glories
Pouring down the hill
Through my window
I can feel the ocean breeze

Noisy sparrows fill the oak trees
Swallows can't stay still
And in the glad commotion
Lord, You speak to me

If rain clouds come
Or the cold winds blow
You're the one who goes before me
And in my heart I know

That this good day, it is a gift from You
The world is turning in its place
Because You made it to
I lift my voice to sing a song of praise
On this good day

I will walk to woodman's cove
The fishing boats are leaving
Seagulls follow just above the water

I will wait until the sunset
Brings them home again
Rigging lines and anchors in the harbor

If rain clouds come
Or the cold winds blow
You're the one who goes before me
And in my heart I know

This good day, it is a gift from You
The world is turning in its place
Because You made it to
I lift my voice to sing a song of praise
On this good day

If rain clouds come
Or the cold winds blow
You're the one who goes before me
And in my heart I know

This good day, it is a gift from You
The world is turning in its place
Because You made it to
This good day, it is a gift from You
The world is turning in its place
Because You made it to
I lift my voice to sing a song of praise
On this good day

Songwriters
ORTEGA, JUAN F./SCHREINER, JOHN ANDREW

Blowing in the Wind

from freevector.com

I have been taking walks in the morning for about 5 weeks now. It is a time i need. A time for me to gather my wits about me for the day ahead. A time to pray. A time to think. A time to plan.

This morning, the walk seemed extra beautiful. The air was much cooler. It was windy. The Fall colors have been amazing the past 10 days. Today, the leaves were falling off of their trees, blowing around, swirling in driveways.

I stood amazed at the wonder of it all. Feeling small in the shadows of the great oaks and poplars, maples and elms. Thinking of how great our God is. How amazing His creation. These walks have helped me to take more time to give Him the praise and thanks due Him. How awesome He is, to paint the trees every Fall with such ardent colors!

Watching these leaves, i stood in awe. They loose their bonds from the great trees that bore them in the Spring, to make room for new leaves the next year. But they don't just fizzle away. NO! they glow, and burn, and dance on their way out. They are free. As i watched the leaves all around me, i noticed a dance. They seem to dance on their way out. Dancing and singing praise to God in their own way. Each leaf unique. Each leaf beautiful. Each leaf dying, to make room for new growth.

Today, i was thankful for walks in the morning. For time with God. For His beauty reflected in creation.

I was also thankful for freedom. Freedom to let go and to trust Christ with every detail.

Need This

The Depth of Letters

 A friend sent me a letter John Newton had written to a woman who was struggling. It was amazing. It caused me to want to read other letters he had written. Here is a great website with some of his letters for you to read. They are worth the time, even if you just read a few here and there. I read a letter he wrote to a fellow minister about godly church members. It was an excellent reminder to keep pressing on in Christ as a member of a local church, and that a member living a life committed to Jesus Christ is an encouragement to the pastor.

HERE is a link to 151 of his poems/hymns, which are also worth the time to read, bit by bit.

As I read through a few of his letters yesterday, it stood out to me how every line, every word that he wrote was purposeful. His letters do not begin "Hi! How are you?" No. They start off deep, intense, and personal. He is intentional to take every bit of space on the paper he is writing on to turn the reader to Christ. To the reality of life in this world. To the blessedness of perseverance, or to the desperate need of repentance. He seems to fear no one in his writing. Newton was bold for Christ.

As I read through some of his letters, a deep desire came over me to make my own words count. To be intentional in my letters. To be bold for Christ. To be intentional with my spoken words. Recently we heard a sermon at our church that reminded us of the need to live godly lives. I listened to two other messages by different preachers on the same passage to fill it out a little for myself, and the main point i heard? EVERYTHING we do while we traverse this planet matters. Everything. Every word spoken. Every act of love. Every sacrifice made for Christ. Every time we say NO to sin. Every time we choose self-control (by the power of His Spirit) over blowing our top. Every time we make a conscious choice not to gossip. Every time we fold another.load.of.laundry.  Every time we get up early to have those precious moment with our Saviour. Everything matters. Everything.


John Newton seemed to understand this. His letters reflect it. His poetry and his hymns proclaim it. In the midst of his own pain and difficulties, the Gospel shines forth as the most beautiful Light, calling us all to fix our gaze on Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfector of our faith.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24

Just Think!

Take a few minutes to think of where these flowers are growing, and blooming, and THRIVING.

What are your thoughts as you consider this? Let's get a conversation going in the comments :).

Hymnody

God Moves in a Mysterious Way by William Cowper

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Welcome Cross

A friend sent this hymn to me. How beautiful it's message.  It is written by Cowper and Newton, as a part of The Olney Hymns.

35. Welcome Cross

'Tis my happiness below

Not to live without the cross,

But the Saviour's power to know,

Sanctifying every loss;

Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see

Love inscribed upon them all,

This is happiness to me.

God in Israel sows the seeds

Of affliction, pain, and toil;

These spring up and choke the weeds

Which would else o'erspread the soil:

Trials make the promise sweet,

Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to His feet,

Lay me low, and keep me there.

Did I meet no trials here,

No chastisement by the way,

Might I not with reason fear

I should prove a castaway?

Bastards may escape the rod,

Sunk in earthly vain delight;

But the true-born child of God

Must not -- would not, if he might.

Rough and Heavy Crosses

At the end of November I mentioned that we would be considering what it means to take up our cross, and follow in the steps of Christ. You can find the post here. This is the quote that started me thinking:

"Our Christianity loves its ease and comforts too well to take up anything so rough and heavy as a cross. And yet, what does Jesus mean? What is it to walk in His steps?"               ~Charles Sheldon, In His Steps pg. 189 

I have been thinking about this for a long time now. Finally, i am able to get some thoughts down! I understand that each of us have different "crosses" that we carry, yet we also share many that are similar. Many of us,if not all, have walked through the loss of a loved one, and all the situations surrounding that. We have to grieve the physical loss. Most have struggled in relationships with others. Some have parental relationships that are difficult and/or strained. We deal with sadness. We wonder what God wants us to do next? He has possibly burdened your heart for a land you may never get to go to. We walk through difficulties with our children, our spouses, our friends. So, while we all have different crosses, we all also have many that are the same.

I have learned that, though the pain of the cross is hard, the suffering seems unbearable at times, that God is using these things in my life to transform me to the image of His Son.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Romans 8:28-29 bold mine

 Anytime i am tempted to cry out "Why, God?" i think of Christ dying in my place: bearing my cross, drinking down to the dregs the full cup of the wrath of God for me. I think of Christ being forsaken by God on that cross, so that i would never have to be. I think of all the sorrows that Jesus bore as He walked this dusty land: abandonment, death of loved ones, rejection, betrayal, grief over the effects of sin, sorrow over Jerusalem... I think of how God placed upon His precious Son the sins that i have committed, that i continue to commit, and that i will commit in the future.  And i realize that any cross that God puts in my path pales in comparison to what my Lord Jesus suffered. It is through suffering that we draw nearer to God, and grow in ways that we wouldn't otherwise be able to.

No matter what the cross is you are facing, be strengthened by looking up to your faithful High Priest, who is ever living to make intercession for you, and who was both the sacrifice and the One offering the sacrifice for you. Fix your gaze on Christ. Pick up your cross, and follow Him. The One who is transforming you from glory to glory.

 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.         Hebrews 4:14-16

 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save [i]forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. Hebrews 7:24-27

We do not suffer alone. There is One who has gone before us. Also, God has provided His people as a source of comfort, encouragement, correction, and help when we carrying a particularly heavy cross. Lean in to His excellent Word. Lean in to your circle of friends. Lean in to your local church for godly counsel and help if needed. Most importantly, lean in to the sufferings of Jesus, and there find hope for your soul.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:2-5

A Song-ett

{hoping you got that little play on words up there in the title! Instead of Sonnett, a Song-ett. i know.. pretty weak.}

As I was listening to some songs on my ipod, i realized that i was starting to make sentences of some of the song titles. I grabbed a piece of paper and pen, and this is what i ended up with! So, this is made up mostly of song titles, and it is a great summary of what the Lord has been doing in my life. 

Though You Slay Me and Move in Mysterious Ways, I will Turn My Eyes Upon Jesus, and cry out, "Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer". Because You Walked in Lonely Places, I can now Lift Up My Sorrows, knowing that You Did That For Me. Amazing Grace sets me on A Firm Foundation, knowing that Jesus exchanged His Robes for Mine. In Christ Alone can I truly say "It Is Well With My Soul!" Amazing love, how can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Praise the Lord, for GREAT things He IS doing!!

Here are links to the songs if you want to listen to them :):
Though You Slay Me 
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer
You Walked in Lonely Places  (M. Card talks about this song here)
Lift Up Your Sorrows
You Did That For Me
Amazing Grace
How Firm a Foundation
His Robes for Mine
In Christ Alone
It Is Well With My Soul
And Can It Be (Amazing Love)
Doxology